One And All

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When my team lost to a goal in the last five minutes of the match from a free kick that should never have been given and got relegated and my face went down with them, you didn’t tell me that … Read more

Slaughterer in the Water

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Action seen in Bristol Is truly unforgettable Poor old Slaver Colston No longer on his pedestal Colston was a slaver, A taker not a giver Protesters did a favour Now Colston’s in the river We can’t go to the boozer … Read more

Bearing Down

George Floyd memorial

The white power cap on the top of the head of the cop with his knee on the neck of the man on the floor by the pass- enger door Who said please I can’t breathe and who called for … Read more

Da Capa al Coda

Riots in Minneapolis following police murder of George Floyd

They held a peaceful protest People didn’t notice Nothing changed Then they rioted and burned The world watched and learned, views exchanged The respectable people said Their cause is just, but why must they riot? Why don’t they hold a … Read more

1919 – Purging the Police

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This would be the year in which the capitalist state rigorously enforced the role of the police, purging them of rebels, ensuring their loyalty and cutting any link between them and the workers’ movement. The events of 1919 shaped the … Read more

Narrative Verdict

blindfolded_justice

I rise to call my first dead witness Counsel may contest his fitness for his part to testify to tell you how he came to die He leads a host of souls to tell their stories from a bitter well … Read more

Thoughts and Prayers

Thoughts and Prayers

Racist terror thoughts and prayers Coffin bearer thoughts and prayers Crossing, drowning thoughts and prayers Solemn, frowning thoughts and prayers Thoughts and prayers and sad reactions Thoughts and prayers but rarely actions Stabbed and killed thoughts and prayers Life unfulfilled … Read more

Soldier F

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Soldier F said he only harmed protesters who held bombs or arms Soldier F had truths to hide The soldier lied Lord Saville said none of the dead had posed a threat but that did not stop Soldier F When … Read more

Rosa and the Water Buffalo

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When Rosa gazed through prison bars to street She saw the water buffalo which drove The heavy coated cart on cloven feet And when they could not pull their weighty load Their master turned his whip and beat and strapped Until they bled and flinched … Read more

A Grenfell Nativity

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Expectant families in temporary digs waiting for a miracle Led here by a burning star and a government demand to be counted Drawing the short straw bedding down in the stalls Because there’s no room in the inner workings of … Read more

Spanish Lesson

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Guardia Civil know the drill Drafted in from other places  beating unfamiliar faces Keepers of the peace Police That’s the theory: There and here, we expect protection  get subjection Saw that theory cracked in practice Dragged and kicked grabbed and … Read more

London

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Follow the links for a shocking story of a Stalinist anti-semitic purge. London is loyal, London’s a comrade London has toiled through many a bomb raid London’s a leader, London’s a fighter London is feeling the noose closing tighter Those … Read more

Justified

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This week, two reports found that the actions of Officer Timothy Loehmann in shooting dead black 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland Ohio on 22 November 2014 were “justified”. Tamir Rice Shot down twice First his life and now his name … Read more

Officer Slager’s Defence

On 4 April 2015, in North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer Michael T Slager shot dead 50-year-old black man Walter T Scott. He is to be charged with murder. Officer Michael T Slager, how do you plead to the charge … Read more

Sonnet for Shahrokh and Reza

Free Shahrokh and Reza

Shahrokh Zamani and Reza Shahabi are imprisoned in Iran for organising trade unions. Tragically, Shahrokh died on 13 September 2015 They hold in prison those whom power fears Shahrokh and Reza, Rajai Shahr’s closed doors Lock up these men but … Read more

My Friend Hush

I wrote this poem in support of Hush Ainebyona. You can read her story and donate to her fundraising appeal here. My friend Hush is good and kind And fair and just – and going blind From boy to woman, … Read more

Poplar Council 1921: Last Words Before Prison

In 1921, thirty Labour Councillors in Poplar went to prison to protest at an unfair rating system that penalised poor boroughs. They eventually won their fight. Here are the parting messages from the Councillors (well, most of them, anyway) as printed in … Read more

Carpe Diem

Seize the day, Theresa May, Lock extremist scum away While you’re there, inspect the cell And lock yourself inside as well